River Garden Studio

a beautiful way

 I found this quote on tumblr and thought it would be

"a beautiful way" to begin this post.

I found this quote on tumblr and thought it would be a beautiful way to begin this post.

The last few last week has been so refreshing for me, my son has been home from college and we have had such a sweet time with him and some dear family friends.  I have spent little time on the computer, just soaking up Thanksgiving and reflecting quietly.  I didn't even mind cooking this year, or the huge mess.  

I have been expressing this quietness in my art, and paying attention to details, textures and soft colors.

 

 

The background of this drawing was covered with light brown tissue paper which I scraped over with gesso.

 

This is an five by seven inch encustic painting and collage that was inspired by this from 1874.  We have Curlews here too.

 

I am still intrigued by black windows, to me they are like views into the night. This is another encaustic, four inches by four inches.

 

 

Together on my work table.

One thing beautiful about encaustics is the way colors change with the light or the angle they are photographed.

 

I have been working on this little book, sewing into it my experiments with stiching, wax, texture and eco-dyeing.  

 

 

 

 

 

These are the fields across the river that I look out on as I walk with my dogs.

 

 

And I have saved some wonderful news for last!  I can attest that dreams can come true!  One of my biggest dreams has been to teach art workshops, which I have been since June of this year.  I have now been accepted to teach two workshops at ART IS...YOU in Petaluma in September, 2013!!

You can read about myself and the faculty here!  

People are encouraged to register their intent early, this gives an opportunity to secure the workshops that they really want.  Workshops, including mine will be on line in late December. 

A special thank you to Sallianne and Ellen for giving me this chance to spread my wings and join them in the beautiful Petaluma wine country next autumn.

Read all about my next on-line workshop,  The Thread That Weaves,  that will begin in January.

There is a special deal if you sign up before December 10th!

If you would like to sign up please email me at: 

[email protected]

 

And you can see the beautiful artist books from my students from my last workshop here.

I am also beginning a mentoring project that you can read about here.  I just have a few space left.  This project is called "Let Your Light Shine" and I would love to help you find your light in your art and creativity.

Email me if you are interested: [email protected]

 

quiet in november

A quietness settles over my gardens.  

A still ness creeps down the Cascade Mountains with the snow. 

My art studio is quiet... but my hands are busymaking art 

and my mind is busy planning projects.

 collaging and stitching and sewing.

 

When I was up at Camano Island a few weeks ago I began to draw again.  

I really saw Lynne's influence on my sketches, though she couldn't see it.  

I had bought this book by Alena Hennessy,

which I love.

Alena's trees and

jeweled strands influenced both Lynne and I.

I finished my first on-line workshop and here are some sneak peaks at the projects I made and and filmed for my students.

 I will have another "The Thread That Weaves" workshop beginning in January,

but if you want to sign up early to ensure a spot you can!  

My husband made me a new work area.  

He attached a larger piece of wood on to a tool chest,

(which I really love because it's red).  

The surface is bigger now,

lots of room for collaging and encaustics and laying out ideas!

This is my cat, she loves baskets.  

This one is a little small for her but she likes to stay close while I work.

Some of you may have seen information about my

 new mentoring project 

in my newsletter or on facebook or even on the top of my sidebar!

I still have a couple of spots left.  

Here is your chance to have your own private art mentor!  

Follow the link to find out more about this unique project,

I made a few changes in pricing and scheduling

so there is a choice in the plan that might fit perfectly for you!  

This program is what you need in your life if:

You know you have a light, a streak of creativity that hasn't quite surfaced

...

Even though you love art, when you sit down to create, you can't think of what you want to make

...

You would love to have someone positive and gentle to share with your projects, your ideas and your dreams

...

Believing in  your art has always been difficult

...

 You want to take yourself seriously,

and for others to as well

Here is your chance to

let your light shine!

 

where the autumn forest met the shore

A few days ago I returned from a trip up the coast to

Camano Island, Washington for this workshop.

 I went with my sweet friend Lynne and we stayed in a small but lovely cabin where the forest met the shore.

 I have never seen maple trees lose their leaves in the ocean and I was mesmerized by the simple beauty that surrounded me.

We arrived when the sky was gray

and the water was soft

Everywhere there was art.

Bits of bones and glass and shells.

Inside and outside shades of black and white and gray.

Weathered wood and crumbling leaves

pale and tired.

Tugboats pulled in both directions. 

And we searched the shore for treasures.

Inside Lynne's colored pencils waited.

Our workshop began.  Colored paint called.

I made black windows,

panels of color,

a woman with a cape,

mountains and a wild pony.

I painted big.  I hadn't painted this big since high school.

In the evenings our cabin was warm.  This was my little bedroom.

Our table where we created.

I drew and colored and stitched and glued.  

I used all the supplies I had.

When I ran out of supplies...

I used nature.

 

While I was away, my students from my on-line workshop were busy creating as well.

Tami finished her book and shares it on her blog

Dream - Wish - Hope

Kim shared her book on her blog

Letting in the Light

Nat shared her book on her blog

Nat's Creative Blog

and Jacky shared some of her book here:

Art4Moi

I have loved teaching this workshop so much.  

The connecting, the sharing, the creations and the art

all made my heart sing.

I will be offering another 

"The Thread That Weaves" online workshop

beginning the first of January.

And I am very excited to tell you that I will be offering an art mentoring program  to just four creative souls...

Click here for more information and sign up soon!

And have a beautiful November.